The Return of Mosey: Drumroll, please, downtown Lafayette

Mosey Down Main Street founders say that after a 2020 no-go on the downtown Lafayette summer festivals, expect a big crowd and a big time for the return Saturday night. Bonus: Get the band lineup here

Jun 12, 2021

Frank Muffin will be part of the lineup at Saturday’s Mosey Down Main Street. (Photo provided)

Nature must be healing itself after a year-and-whatever of the pandemic: Mosey Down Main Street is back Saturday.

The monthly, free summer festival, centered on Main Street from Sixth to 11th streets, went dark like just about everything else in the name of social distancing and health department restrictions on big crowds.

It’s going to be hot. And it’s going to be crowded. But founders Ken McCammon and Steve Bultinck think they remembered how the whole thing worked.

Question: This is the first Mosey since, what, end of summer 2019? Are you itching to go?

Ken McCammon: The last Mosey was on Aug. 31, 2019. We have had to go the nonexistent check list – it was always in our heads – to make sure we didn't forget anything, and we think we have it covered. And yes, we are itching to go!

What sort of pent-up demand to get out do you sense downtown and in the community?

McCammon: Depending on the weather – it is supposed to be HOT! – we may have one of our largest crowds ever, due to people just wanting to get out and experience life again. Our Facebook page has been lighting up with posts, not just from attendees expressing their excitement, but by bands, businesses and vendors. Even an amazing number of regrets from folks who will be out of town.

What’s new or different this year? Or is it: If you’ve been to Mosey, you’ll feel right at home?

McCammon: Really? What's new? We feel fortunate just to be pulling one off after 20-plus months of inactivity. As I said, we think we remembered everything. There will be a somewhat different layout due to construction of the Luna Apartments on Main Street, with several vendors moved from their usual spots, and the food trucks being located on South Ninth between Main and Columbia, opening up more space for vendors along Main Street. Otherwise, we hope the feel and enjoyment will be the same. The three stages will be in the usual places and the Belly Dancers will again grace the corner of Ninth and Main. There may even be a surprise or two during the night.

How’s the rest of the season shaping up, so far?

McCammon: Most of the musical slots are already full for the rest of the year, with just a few remaining unfilled, but there is a lot of interest, including from a whole bunch of new acts who have just recently signed up.

How about the band line up for this Saturday?

McCammon: Here is the lineup for this week. The Tippecanoe Ancients Fife and Drum Corps will once again open the season with a march down Main Street from 11th to Sixth streets at 6 p.m. Beware the muskets booms! The rest of the lineup is below. The lineup includes 6 new acts. (Note: Scroll to the bottom for the full lineup.)

Any adjustments for the pandemic? Anything you had to do to satisfy the health department, COVID-wise?

McCammon: Not really. The reason the May Mosey was canceled was due to our expectation that we would still be under lockdown. Actually, we were hoping to begin in July at the earliest, but things quickly changed due to the vaccine push. By the time the mask mandate was lifted, it was too late to resurrect the May event, but it gave us time to pull it off this month. We had originally planned to have temperature checks for entry, "Masks Highly Suggested" signs – early on discussing how we could politely ask people without masks to leave – hand sanitizing stations, greater distance between vendor booths, etc. When the mask mandate was lifted, we were caught a bit off guard.

By the way, for those who have not yet been vaccinated and who wish to be, the Tippecanoe County Department of Health will have a booth set up to provide free vaccinations for anyone who qualifies.

What else should everybody know as the first Mosey approaches?

McCammon: Come prepared to see people who you maybe haven't seen for a while, listen to great music, check out the vendors, restaurants and food trucks, downtown shops, etc. Basically, plan to enjoy the first big event in a long, long time! And MOSEY ON!

Mosey Down Main Street stage lineup for June

Grand Opening, 11th street to Sixth street

6 p.m.: Tippecanoe Ancients Fife and Drum Corps

Security Federal Stage, Sixth and Main streets

6 p.m.: The Gazing Eyes

7:20 p.m.: Taurus Moon

8:40 p.m.: The Ballistics

10 p.m.: Frank Muffin

Q106.7 Stage, Eighth and Main streets

6 p.m.: The 2+2 Band

7:20 p.m.: The Unusual Suspects

8:40 p.m.: Dopplepopolis

10 p.m.: Blends

Ninth and Main

7-9 p.m.: Oasis Belly Dance Troupe

Hallmark Mortgage Stage, 11th and Main streets

6 p.m.: Kyle Hurd

7:20 p.m.: Resounding Maybes

8:40 p.m.: The Funk Buds

10 p.m. The Good Times Band

Based in Lafayette, Indiana

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